SYDNEY UNI TOO GOOD FOR UTS
Sydney Uni bounced back after its loss to the Pirates in the last round to inflict a 20-17 win over the previously unbeaten UTS.
Sydney Uni had the benefit of a strong wind blowing off Botany Bay as they kicked off to start the game on the shortened astroturf field at the St George Hockey Centre. UTS drove to half-way before the Aoun brothers combined to force a turnover - Chady recovering a fumble from Fady's strip. The Lions offence chose not to try for a short 4th down conversion on its first drive, but a well weighted punt from Liam Erby put UTS back on its 10 yard line. From there the Lions defensive front took over, linemen Ryan Wonser, Fady Aoun and James Kato and outside linebacker Kurt Ostlund combining to stop three run plays for 0 yards. A poor punt, a strong wind and a favourable bounce saw the Lions regain possession on the UTS 15 yard line. As they were to do all game, the backfield of Chris Snagg and Matt Croasdaile shared the load, with Croasdaile punching in from 2 yards out for the opening touchdown. Erby converted for a 7-0 lead.
The touchdown marked the end of the first quarter, so the ensuing kick-off was into the wind, leaving UTS in good field position on half-way at the start of their drive. On third and long, a great effort from Chris Michaelides stopped a receiver screen short of the first down marker. On fourth down, UTS quarterback Irrgang tried to hit Turner on a hook pattern, but pressure from Kurt Ostlund and tight coverage from cornerback David Bourke forced an incompletion and a turnover at mid-field. Lead by some outstanding play from the offensive line - Dave Thode, Cameron Lawrence, Tim Snape, David Allen and Laurie Hypponen - Snagg and Croasdaile broke the back of the UTS defence, racing the ball to the 1 yard line on only 4 carries. This time Snagg carried the ball in for the touchdown. Erby's attempt into the wind was unsuccessful.
Another kick-off into the wind and a UTS return saw the Lions defence starting their next drive in the red zone on their own 20. Talk about a short field! Great pressure from the defensive front and a key pass break-up from free safety Anthony Sinton saw UTS faced with another 4th down, this time on the 13 yard line. UTS went for the touchdown, but good pressure and coverage combined to see the pass fall incomplete for another turnover. However, the Lions gave UTS another chance to score before the end of the half, Quarterback Kiernan Dorney's long pass attempt holding up in the wind to be intercepted at half-way. UTS found some success running to the outside to drive down to the ten yard line. On first and goal, rookie lineman Piotr Milewski combined with Kurt Ostlund to sack the UTS quarterback for a loss. With time running down, UTS spiked the ball to stop the clock, then kicked a 25 yard field goal on the last play of the half to get on the scoreboard.
The Lions chose to receive the ball to start the second half and marched the ball into the wind with ruthless efficiency. Croasdaile ripped off a 20 yard carry behind awesome downfield blocking from Thode while Dorney combined with flanker Mac Shine for a key reception. After moving with clockwork precision to the 5 yard line, there the fun began. First, Snagg fumble the ball on his way into the endzone only for the ball to be recovered for an apparent touchdown by Dave Thode. Citing a rule that the ball cannot be fumbled forward for advantage, the officials marked the ball at the spot of the fumble. Then, on third and goal, a scrambling Dorney found his receiver in the endzone for apparent touchdown number two, only for a Lions' linemen to be flagged for being downfield. Finally, Matt Croasdaile settled the issue with a typically bustling, hard-nosed effort from 10 yards for the touchdown. The PAT was good for a 20-3 lead.
The wind and a 15 yard penalty on the kick-off combined to give UTS good starting field position again. This time they took full advantage. After picking up a first down to the 40 yard line, for the first time all game the UTS quarterback was able to buy himself good time in the pocket and picked out a receiver crossing underneath the coverage. Catching the ball on the fly, the UTS receiver straightened up the sideline and beat the coverage to the corner flag for the score. With a successful PAT, UTS had struck back - 20-10.
The Lions regained the ball on their 20 after the kick-off sailed dead and worked the ball upfield. For the rest of the game, the offence was to be plagued by a rash of penalties, but still the Lions drove to the UTS 35 on the back of their powerful running game and judicious pass selection to receivers Freeman and Shine. Unfortunately, Dorney overthrew a wide open Liam Erby with the wind as the teams changed ends for the fourth quarter before failing to prolong the drive on a 4th down conversion attempt. UTS took over and came back strongly, throwing into the wind. Two completions had them on the Lions 25, from where Irrgang launched a pass to a receiver running a flag pattern. In a crowd at the corner, the receiver made a spectacular catch and the officials ruled him inbounds and the ball in the endzone for a touchdown. The PAT was good to cut the Lions lead to 3 points.
After a good return from Sinton, the Lions set about running down the clock. Despite being assessed for 30 yards worth of penalties on the drive, the Lions were good enough to keep punching holes through the UTS defence and picking up first downs, Matt Croasdaile showing his versatility with a neat grab for a first down completion from Dorney. But then having driven the ball down to the UTS 20 yard line and run off all but 50 seconds of the clock, Chris Snagg was stripped of the ball for UTS to recover possession to give themselves one last shot. However, the Lions defence was having none of it. Fady Aoun busted through the line to bat down the first pass attempt and then Anthony Sinton stepped up from free safety to pick off Irrgang's pass and seal the win for Uni.
Lions 20 def. UTS 17
7 October 2006
St George Hockey Centre, Kyeemagh
1Q SU: Croasdaile 2 yd TD run. Erby PAT. 7:0
2Q SU: Snagg 1 yd TD run. 13:0
2Q UTS: Irvine 25 yd FG 13:3
3Q SU: Croasdaile 10 yd TD run. Erby PAT 20:3
3Q UTS: Weeks 40 yd TD pass from Irrgang. Irvine PAT 20:10
4Q UTS: Manatua 25 yd TD pass from Irrgang. Irvine PAT 20:17